Every woman’s period is different, but some women have a more difficult time than others. Heavy periods or medically known as Menorrhagia can be very difficult to manage for some women. Yet, many Dallas women are not aware that there are solutions. We specialize in the diagnosis of irregular, absent, or heavy periods because only if you understand the cause you can address the issue.
Identifying the cause
Abnormal, heavy periods and menstrual bleeding can be caused by many factors including hormonal imbalances, infections, problems with blood clotting, growths, certain types of cancer, chronic medical problems or even pregnancy. We will evaluate your health history and conduct a comprehensive exam to get to the cause of the problem.
Symptoms of Heavy Bleeding
Signs or symptoms of heavy bleeding may include:
- Tiredness, fatigue, or shortness in breath
- Restricting daily activities due to heavy flow
- Passing blood clots larger than a quarter
- Bleeding longer than a week
- Waking up in the night to change protection
- Needing to use multiple sanitary protection to control flow
- Soaking through multiple sanitary pads or tampons for consecutive hours
When to See A Doctor
Seek medical attention from a doctor if you experience the following:
- Vaginal bleeding is heavy enough to soak through multiple pads or tampons for longer than multiple hours
- Bleeding between periods or irregular bleeding
- Vaginal bleeding after menopause
Ways To Diagnose Menorrhagia or Heavy Periods
There are several tests that can be done to determine if you are dealing with heavy periods. Your doctor may perform the following:
- Pelvic exam
- Blood test: used to check the thyroid, anemia, and how the blood can clot
- Pap Test: used to check cells from the cervix for changes
- Endometrial biopsy: used to check uterine tissue for abnormalities or cancer
- Ultrasound: used to check for proper functioning of blood vessels, tissues, and organs
Additional tests may be done to getting a better understanding of what is causing the bleeding:
- Sonohysterogram: used to check the lining of the uterus
- Hysteroscopy: used to check for polyps, fibroids, or other issues
- Dilation and Curettage (“D&C”): Used also as a treatment to resolve the bleeding.
We’re Here To Help
Every case is different for women and Walnut Hill is here to help. With our comprehensive treatment plan, we can help identify the cause of the bleeding and develop a plan that fits your needs. We take many factors into consideration when creating our plans such as age, general health, medical history, reaction to medicines or other treatments. At our Dallas clinic, we listen to your concerns and what you want to be able to do in the future.
Treatment Options For Heavy Periods or Menorrhagia
When developing your plan, there are two routes to choose from drug therapy and surgical. Depending on your case, your doctor may recommend several treatments.
Medication for Heavy Periods
Your doctor may recommend a medication such as the following:
- Iron Supplements: to get more iron in your blood which can help carry oxygen if you are showing signs of anemia.
- Ibuprofen (Advil): To help reduce pain, cramps, and the amount of bleeding.
- Birth Control Pills: To help regulate bleeding.
- Intrauterine Contraception (IUC): To help periods more regular and reduce the amount of bleeding due to the insertion of a device in the uterus. Walnut Hill offers a wide range of birth control options that can complement your heavy period issues.
- Hormone Therapy: To reduce the amount of bleeding. We also provide mood and hormonal therapy as one of our services.
- Desmopressin Nasal Spray: To stop bleeding for people who have von Willebrand disease and mild hemophilia.
- Antifibrinolytic Medicines: To reduce the amount of bleeding stopping a blood clot from breaking down once it has formed.
Surgical Treatments
Your doctor may also recommend a surgical procedure to help treat heavy periods. Here are some procedures your doctor may suggest:
- Dilation and Curettage (D&C): A procedure where the top layer of the uterus lining is removed to reduce menstrual bleeding. This procedure may need to happen again in the future.
- Operative Hysteroscopy: A procedure used to view the inside of the uterus. It can also be used to help remove polyps and fibroids. This procedure can also correct the abnormalities of the uterus and remove the lining of the uterus to manage menstrual flow.
- Endometrial Ablation or Resection: These are two different types of surgeries used to remove all or partial parts of the uterus. This is done to control the bleeding. Although this procedure does not involve removing the uterus, it will prevent women from having children in the future.
- Hysterectomy: A surgical option that involves removing the entire uterus. After having this procedure, a woman can’t become pregnant. Walnut Hill offers this hysterectomy procedure at their clinic in Dallas.
Don’t Suffer from Heavy Periods
Talking to your doctor can help you make an informed, careful decision about how to eliminate your heavy periods. The doctors at Dallas Walnut Hill OBGYN Associates work with women just